"I didn't know why the Commander-in-Chief of the Right Army was so free that he didn't hesitate to disguise himself as someone else to come to Jiyang."
He Yan thought, "Have I been discovered? Judging from her tone, she didn't seem to have just discovered me. "
He looked at Xiao Jue again. She wasn't surprised at all. She just smiled lazily and said, "Your Highness, is this how you treat Little Highness's savior? You're denouncing them?"
"They're guilty," Mu Hongjin said coldly, "You're not innocent either. You can't have come to Jiyang just to see if I'm doing well."
"It seems that Your Highness is doing well." Xiao Jue raised her eyebrows. "But it's not necessarily the case for the other people in Jiyang City."
Mu Hongjin sat on the high seat and stared at Xiao Jue for a while. Then, she suddenly smiled. With this smile, the cold and unapproachable look just now suddenly melted a lot. She leaned back against the soft cushion and pointed to the guest chair beside her. "Sit down. Don't say that I've neglected a guest from afar."
He Yan thanked her and sat down with Xiao Jue on the side seat.
This was Princess Mengji, Mu Hongjin. He Yan looked at her and felt that she was different from what he had imagined. Before coming to Jiyang, He Yan's impression of Princess Meng Ji was that she was a bit older, kind, dignified, and steady. Later, he guessed that she might be Liu Buwang's old acquaintance, so he thought that she might be a straightforward and righteous person. However, he didn't expect that Mu Hongjin in reality was so beautiful, powerful, domineering, and unrestrained.
"Your Highness …" He Yan hesitated for a moment before asking, "When did you find out?"
"Do you think that it's so easy to enter Jiyang City, or do you think that I'm just a decoration? You can't even see through this." Mu Hongjin stroked a translucent ruby ring on her finger and said lightly, "I've known since the first day you entered the city. That idiot Cui Yuezhi can't see through it, but it doesn't mean that everyone is as stupid as him. I was waiting to see what you were up to, but since you saved Xiao Lou, I won't beat around the bush with you. "
She looked at Xiao Jue and said, "Tell me, Military Governor Xiao. Why did you come to Jiyang City?"
"I'm here to find someone." "His name is Chai Anxi," Xiao Jue said, "He used to be my father's subordinate. After the Battle of Mingshui, he disappeared. I found his whereabouts, he is in Jiyang. However, no one has been found yet. As for the Cuiwei Pavilion, it was burned down half a month ago. " The corners of his mouth curled up slightly. "Since Your Highness already knows our identities, I would like to ask for Your Highness' help. With Your Highness' help, it shouldn't be difficult to investigate someone in Jiyang City."
Mu Hongjin's smile faded slightly. "Military Governor Xiao couldn't have foreseen this day and planned to use my hands to do things for you, right?"
Xiao Jue smiled.
"How dare you!"
He Yan was secretly speechless. They were in Mu Hongjin's territory now, and they didn't have any soldiers with them. Xiao Jue not only didn't tuck her tail between her legs, but also dared to talk back to Mu Hongjin. Even He Yan felt that her attitude of asking for help was too much, let alone Mu Hongjin.
The young man said carelessly, "Uto has infiltrated Jiyang City. Your Highness must be very distressed these days. Chai Anxi might have clues about Uto. Your Highness helping me is helping yourself. "
Mu Hongjin stared at him. "Why should I believe you?"
"You won't lose anything if you believe me." Xiao Jue's voice was calm. "It depends on what Your Highness is most worried about."
The hall was silent for a moment, and slowly, the sound of applause could be heard. Mu Hongjin clapped her hands and stared at Xiao Jue. It was hard to tell whether it was fear or admiration. She said, "General Fengyun really lives up to her reputation. Even if you don't become a general, you can still do a good job as a counselor."
"Your Highness is overpraising me."
Mu Hongjin stood up and said, "You're right. Uto has infiltrated Jiyang City. I've been worried about this for a long time. But how can you prove that the person you're looking for knows about Uto's clues? "
"Jiyang City has always been easy to get out but difficult to get in. Chai Anxi has infiltrated Jiyang for many years, and Uto has entered Jiyang as if there's no one there. There must be a connection. In Your Highness's mansion, there must be someone among the officials of Jiyang who colluded with the Uto to create loopholes in Jiyang City. It must be done by one person. Whether it's Chai Anxi or Uto, they both used the Uto as an excuse to enter the city. " Xiao Jue said calmly, "Your Highness wants to clean up the Uto, but with Your Highness's current ability, it's already difficult."
Mu Hongjin smiled. "Oh? Why would I be difficult? "
"Because of Xiao Lou."
Mu Hongjin's smile faded.
He Yan understood the meaning of Xiao Jue's words. After King Meng Ji's wife passed away, at least she left behind a son who was able to hold the position of King. However, after her son passed away, she was only left with a granddaughter who was still young. Although a woman could inherit the position of King and become a princess, if it was that simple, Mu Hongjin would not have been married off to the son of an important official in the imperial court to stabilize her power.
The huge mansion was only supported by two women, a pair of grandmother and granddaughter. Many people were eyeing the mansion covetously. With internal and external troubles, Mu Hongjin would not be as relaxed as she looked.
"Military Governor Xiao is wise and observant." Mu Hongjin sighed. "Ever since my son passed away, the people in Jiyang City have been unstable. Xiao Lou is still young, so she can't take on big responsibilities. The aristocratic families have already formed their own factions and have fallen apart. They're like loose sand, so it's easy for others to take advantage of them. However, "she paused and looked at Xiao Jue." Uto has infiltrated Jiyang, so I'm afraid that the situation in Da Wei's Central Plains will not be stable. "
"Your Highness is wise."
"So," Mu Hongjin raised her chin slightly. "Do you want to work with me?"
"If Your Highness is willing," Xiao Jue smiled slightly. "I'll be happy to."
Mu Hongjin nodded. "I'll send people to search for Chai Anxi's whereabouts in the city. If he's still alive, I promise you that I'll be able to find him no matter where he hides. However, you have to promise me. "Her eyes flashed with a hint of cunning." General Fengyun is said to be a godly strategist. You and I will work together to solve the Uto's predicament in Jiyang City. "
This time, she used "I" instead of "This Highness", which meant that she was putting herself on the same level as Xiao Jue in order to seek cooperation.
Xiao Jue nodded. "Of course."
Since she had already spoken, Mu Hongjin's face was no longer as cold as before. She even showed a friendly smile. "Cui Yuezhi asked you to come all the way to the palace and waited in the outer hall for a long time. I'm sure you haven't eaten yet. Since you're here, you should eat before you leave. Xiao Lou will change his clothes so that he can personally thank you. " She looked at He Yan again with a hint of interest in her eyes. "However, I didn't expect that Military Governor Xiao would choose a married man to come to Jiyang. Is this person … your lover? "
He Yan almost choked on his own saliva. He knew that the people of Jiyang were straightforward, but he was still surprised that the princess was so direct.
Xiao Jue glanced at her and said lightly, "No, she's my subordinate."
"Subordinate?" Mu Hongjin smiled and said, "But I heard from Yuezhi that you went to the Water God Festival together yesterday. You even walked across Lovers' Bridge for her and rode on the Firefly Boat. With Military Governor Xiao's temperament, he wouldn't be so accommodating to a subordinate. As a subordinate, isn't it a little too bold to make such a request? "
He Yan pondered in his heart. She was implying that she should restrain herself in the future. After thinking for a while, she bowed and said respectfully, "He Yan will listen to Your Highness's teachings. He will be careful with his words and actions in the future and will not cause trouble for the Governor."
Mu Hongjin was stunned for a moment. She looked at Xiao Jue. "You really are a subordinate."
Xiao Jue was silent for a moment. She said calmly, "Your Highness, please don't laugh at my incompetence."
"It's fine. That's your business." Mu Hongjin stroked her hair and said, "I'll go find Cui Yuezhi first and tell him to help you find someone. You two wait here for a moment. "
After saying that, she stood up from the high seat and slowly disappeared into the back of the hall.
He Yan waited for her to leave before he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know why, but he always felt that he couldn't be too relaxed in front of Princess Mengji. It was probably because her aura was too strong, making it difficult for people to ignore her.
"Governor, why did you admit it so quickly just now?" He Yan touched Xiao Jue's elbow. "You didn't even try to quibble."
Xiao Jue sneered. "Not everyone is a liar like you."
He Yan shrugged and changed the topic. "But this Princess Mengji is really good. She discovered us the moment we entered the city."
"I didn't intend to hide it from him." Xiao Jue said carelessly. "Cui Yuezhi can still be perfunctory. How can a woman who can stabilize Jiyang City with her own strength be so easy to fool?"
"Yes." He Yan agreed with her words. "Women are not easy to fool when they don't act on their emotions."
But if they like and trust someone, it would be too easy to be fooled.
Xiao Jue glanced at her and said slowly, "But some women are not easy to fool, and they like to deceive people."
He Yan: "…"
She said, "What you said is meaningless. Who's deceiving you?"
As they were talking, a maid from the Prince's Mansion walked in and said, "Please follow me. His Highness invites you to eat in the banquet hall."
He Yan and Xiao Jue then walked to the banquet hall.
The banquet hall of the Prince's Mansion was also very big. Although the walls and ceiling were painted with colorful paintings and the floor was covered with bright-colored blankets, because there were very few people at the long tables, it was still a little empty at first. The magnificent emptiness made people feel even more lonely.
Mu Hongjin sat on a small couch at the long table and said, "Sit."
He Yan and Xiao Jue sat down at the table.
"I don't know what you like to eat, so make yourselves comfortable." Mu Hongjin seemed to be a little tired and leaned against the soft cushion. "I asked Cui Yuezhi to go back first. It's not convenient for him to talk here."
Cui Yuezhi still did not know Xiao Jue and Xiao Jue's identities, so it was indeed inconvenient for him.
The food in the Prince's Mansion was not much different from the food in the Cui Mansion. However, He Yan was not very particular about food. He was happy as long as there was something to eat. He immediately thanked Mu Hongjin and picked up his chopsticks reservedly. He also remembered that the person in front of him was Princess Mengji, so it was not good for him to be presumptuous. Therefore, he ate more politely.
Mu Hongjin looked at Xiao Jue. "Military Governor Xiao, if the Uto sneaked into Jiyang, what is their motive?"
"Da Wei."
That one sentence made He Yan's action of drinking the soup stop, and he instantly felt that the delicious food was tasteless.
"Once the Uto gains power and attacks Jiyang, the first thing they will do is to cut off the water supply of the canal. The cities along the river will be affected by the disaster. There will be no food or money, and the merchants will go on strike. The Central Plains will be in chaos. Then, they will head north, enter the capital, and attack the palace, "he said calmly." There is nothing more natural than this. "
Mu Hongjin was silent for a moment before she said, "Military Governor Xiao makes it sound so easy for you to say such a shocking thing."
"Because it's about to happen." Xiao Jue said, "Not now. Early on, during the battle between father and the Southern Barbarians at Mingshui, there were already clues."
"Southern Barbarians?" This was the first time Mu Hongjin heard of this. She was puzzled. "What does it have to do with the Southern Barbarians?"
"There is a traitor in the imperial court who colluded with the Southern Barbarians in the past. Unfortunately, the Southern Barbarians' rebellion was quelled, and the Uto Kingdom was far away. It has been peaceful all these years, and it has been accumulating power in secret. Therefore, 'he' changed his target of cooperation from the Southern Barbarians to the Uto Kingdom. Jiyang is the first city to be used to claim credit. "
Mu Hongjin placed her hand on her chest and frowned. "Jiyang has not fought for many years."
"Allow me to ask." Xiao Jue asked, "How many soldiers are there in Jiyang now?"
"Less than twenty thousand."
He Yan frowned when he heard this. Less than twenty thousand was not a number that could make one feel at ease. After all, there were more than twenty thousand Liang Province Guards.
"Doesn't Military Governor Xiao have the Southern Prefecture Soldiers under his command?" Mu Hongjin asked. "Can the Southern Prefecture Soldiers be transferred to Jiyang?"
"It's too late," Xiao Jue said.
He Yan and Mu Hongjin were both stunned. Mu Hongjin said coldly, "Is Military Governor Xiao exaggerating to scare us?"
"Your Highness already knows the truth. If it wasn't urgent, "Xiao Jue's expression was still calm." Your Highness wouldn't have been kidnapped during the Water God Festival. "
Mu Xiaolou was a part of their plan. However, they coincidentally encountered He Yan and the others, and the plan was disrupted. It could be imagined that if He Yan and the others hadn't appeared that day, and Mu Xiaolou had been successfully kidnapped, there would be two outcomes. The first was that the news of Her Highness' disappearance spread, and the entire Jiyang City was in a state of panic. The princess would no longer have an heir, and the people's hearts would be in chaos. The aristocratic families would cause trouble, and the people hiding in the dark would take the opportunity to stir up trouble and directly take the throne. The second was even simpler. They would use Mu Xiaolou as a bargaining chip to negotiate with Mu Hongjin. If Mu Hongjin doted on this granddaughter, she would directly hand over the throne. Then, the other party would be able to take over the entire Jiyang City without expending a single soldier.
Regardless of the outcome, it was not something that the current Jiyang City could bear.
"You mean …" Mu Hongjin asked.
"Let's prepare for a fierce battle," Xiao Jue replied.
This topic was too serious. Everyone in the banquet hall was silent for a moment. At that moment, a crisp voice rang out. "Grandmother!"
It was Mu Xiaolou.
Mu Xiaolou had already changed her clothes. She was also wearing a bright red robe with golden lotus flowers embroidered on it. It was gorgeous and exquisite. She didn't wear a golden crown. Her two braids hung down in front of her chest and there was a little ornament on her forehead. She looked like a young Mu Hongjin, a girl from a different race. However, compared to Mu Hongjin's domineering beauty, Mu Xiaolou was more delicate and arrogant.
After returning to the familiar residence, Mu Xiaolou was no longer as silent as she was in the Cui residence. She ran over like a little bird and jumped onto Mu Hongjin's soft couch. She nestled beside Mu Hongjin and asked, "Grandmother, why isn't Cui Zhongqi here?"
"Cui Zhongqi is busy." Mu Hongjin was much more affectionate when facing Mu Xiaolou. She smiled and patted her head. "Your saviors are here. Hurry up and thank them."
Mu Xiaolou turned her head and looked at He Yan and Xiao Jue. After a while, she said in a small voice, "Thank you for saving me."
She didn't want to lose face.
He Yan didn't argue with her and asked Mu Hongjin, "Little Highness, how did you end up in the hands of those bad people that day? Could it be that those bad people had infiltrated the residence? "
If that was the case, those bad people were too daring.
Mu Hongjin looked at Mu Xiaolou. "You say it yourself."
"It's nothing." Mu Xiaolou looked at her grandmother's expression. After a while, she said, "I wanted to go to the Water God Festival and didn't want the guards to follow me, so I left the residence. On the way, I met those people who said they could help me get on the Firefly Boat. After I got on the boat, I couldn't move after drinking tea. Then I met you. "
She said it lightly, probably because she was afraid of being scolded by Mu Hongjin. It could be assumed that she had experienced many dangers. However, it was normal for a child of this age to want to play. Mu Hongjin only had this one granddaughter. She was usually very strict, afraid that something would happen to her. It was reasonable for a child to want to go out and play by herself.
It was just that her luck wasn't too good and she had been targeted early on.
"I really have to thank you." Mu Hongjin sighed. "If something really happened to Xiaolou, I don't know how to continue living."
"Your Highness, please don't say that. Little Highness is blessed by the heavens. Even if she didn't meet us, she would have met someone else. She will definitely be safe."
Mu Xiaolou heard this and muttered, "It wasn't you who saved me in the first place. It was this uncle who saved me." Then, she looked at He Yan. "That uncle isn't coming today? When can he come? Go back and tell him that I want to see him. Can he come to the residence to play with me? "
It was the first time Mu Hongjin had heard of such a person. She asked in confusion, "What uncle?"
"It's an uncle who looks like an immortal." Mu Xiaolou became happy and gestured to Mu Hongjin. "He's very tall and wears white clothes. He's very strong. When I was caught, he knocked over the knife as soon as he appeared! He has a sword and a qin on his back. "
Mu Hongjin's expression gradually stiffened.
He Yan complained incessantly in his heart. He only hoped that this little ancestor would stop talking and not continue. However, Mu Xiaolou seemed to have a good impression of Liu Buwang. Speaking of this, she beamed with joy and wished she could tell Mu Hongjin everything she knew.
"He also knows how to play the qin. He played the qin for me. It's the song that Grandmother often plays. But he plays it much better than you. He said that the song seems to be called 'Slow Time'. Grandmother, why have I never heard you mention the name of this song? Is it really called that? "
Mu Hongjin looked at Mu Xiaolou and slowly opened her mouth, her voice dry. "Since you've seen him, do you know his name?"
"I asked him," Mu Xiaolou replied. "He said he's called Layperson Yun Lin, but I heard them all call that person Master Liu. You should ask him. "Mu Xiaolou pointed at Xiao Jue." Layperson Yun Lin seems to be his master. I heard Cui Zhongqi ask. "
Mu Hongjin looked at Xiao Jue. "Is that so?"
He Yan was so nervous that his palms were sweating. He heard Xiao Jue reply, "Yes."
The banquet hall inexplicably became dull. Mu Hongjin didn't speak and just leaned on the couch. She didn't even notice Mu Xiaolou. Her gaze gradually drifted away, as if she was recalling a distant memory. There was no room for anyone else in her eyes.
He Yan thought to himself, From the looks of it, Mu Hongjin and Liu Buwang are not only old acquaintances, but also have a deep relationship.
After a long time, Mu Hongjin came back to her senses and said indifferently, "I know."
She didn't say that she wanted to see him again, nor did she ask about Liu Buwang. It was as if this person was just a passerby who she had forgotten after hearing his name. Her expression returned to calmness, and for a moment, the gloominess also dissipated. She seemed to have returned to the aloof and unreasonable Royal Highness when they first met.
It would be better if she kept asking, but she just let it go. He Yan became suspicious, as if there was a restless cat constantly scratching his heart. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Are Your Highness and Layman Yunlin old acquaintances?"
Xiao Jue glanced at him with a warning look.
He Yan didn't care. Liu Buwang was also her relative. Now that she could finally catch a glimpse of Liu Buwang's past, how could she give up? Besides, Mu Hongjin's expression … At least she wasn't an enemy of Liu Buwang.
Mu Hongjin didn't expect He Yan to suddenly ask this. She looked at He Yan, and He Yan looked at her generously. After a while, Mu Hongjin smiled and said, "Military Governor Xiao, your subordinate is really bold."
Xiao Jue's gaze was clear and indifferent. "Your Highness, please forgive me."
"I haven't said anything yet. You don't have to be so anxious to defend her." Mu Hongjin smiled slightly. "It's just that no one has dared to ask this question for many years."
He Yan found it strange. Was she really an enemy?
If she was an enemy, why would Liu Buwang treat Mu Xiaolou so well? After all, Mu Xiaolou and Mu Hongjin were too similar. Facing a face that looked like an enemy, he wouldn't be gentle.
"Actually, it's no big deal to tell you." Mu Hongjin said lightly, "Many years ago, before I got married, I once sneaked out of the prince's mansion." She glanced at Mu Xiaolou and said gently, "Just like Xiaolou yesterday."
"But I was very lucky. I didn't meet any bad people. Instead, I met a young man who just came down from the mountain."
Her beautiful eyes stared at the painting on the wall in the distance. The painting was like a young girl sitting under a flower tree and weaving a garland. The large peach color was bright and beautiful, just like the spring day of that year.
"I admired this young man, so I pestered him and followed him with the excuse that I was penniless and had nowhere to go."
It was also the first time Mu Xiaolou heard about her grandmother's past. She widened her eyes in surprise.
"It was the first time I fell in love with someone. Naturally, I was very sincere. However, that young man already had a sweetheart and didn't like me. He was also very cold to me. Father told me that the marriage was set and they would get married in a few days. So I begged that young man to take me away. "
He Yan was so surprised that he couldn't speak. Princess Mengji was really bold to elope before marriage.
"On the day of the appointment, he didn't come." Mu Hongjin said lightly, "I was found by Father's people and returned to Jiyang to get married."
"After that, I never saw him again."
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